Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs

Contributed by Deb:

Since this info is all over the web, and comes from a book, I consider it public domain. So I will post it here without any concerns:

Chocolate - active ingredient = theobromine: The half life in the dog is 17.5 hours

The Toxic dose in the dog is 100-150 mg/kg.A kilogram (kg) = 2.2 lbs. A milligram(mg) = 1/1000 of a gram

So for a 50 pound dog, a toxic dose would be roughly 2.2 grams (2200 mg) of pure chocolate.

However the concentration of theobromine varies with the formulation of the chocolate so: Milk chocolate has 44mg/oz (154mg/100gm) :toxic dose for 50 lb dog - 50 oz of milk chocolate.

Semisweet chocolate has 150 mg/oz (528mg/100gm) :toxic dose for 50 lb dog - 15 oz of semisweet chocolate

Baking chocolate 390mg/oz (1365 mg/100gm):toxic dose for 50 lb dog - 5 oz of baking chocolate

Thus a dog eating one oz of baking chocolate would have to eat almost 3 oz of semisweet or 10 oz of milk chocolate to get the same dose of theobromine.

The theobromine in candies consisting of chocolate that is coated over some other substance - as in filled candies and chocolate coated dried fruits, etc. will be more dilute than that in pure chocolate bars and solid chocolate candies.

Obviously the chocolate in milk chocolate is quite dilute and this is why many dogs can eat a piece here and there and seem not to show toxic effects, how many dogs would get ahold of 50 oz at a time? This is not true of the more concentrated forms however.

Dr Sue Bank's experience was that she had two dogs, a 95 pound one and a 60 pound one. They got ahold of 2 one pound bags of Nestle's semi-sweet chocolate pieces (a bag each). The 95 pound dog survived but the 60 pound dog ingested a toxic dose.

The problem with feeding a dog milk chocolate as a treat is that it develops a liking for chocolate and since dogs do not seem to be as sensitive to bitter tastes as humans - it may then eat the more concentrated, and thus quite toxic, baker's chocolate if it gets a chance or it will consume a toxic amount of milk or semi-sweet chocolate if it can get into a improperly stored supply.

Treatment which is best administered by someone with medical training follows the same strategy as treatment for caffeine overdose: Support Respiration Support cardiovascular function, control arrhythmia's, control electrolytes and acid-base balance. Control CNS excitation. Emesis Gastric lavage Cathartic Activated charcoal.

Administration of an activated charcoal slurry is a major component of the treatment and needs to be administered by a veterinarian - it is not a home treatment. From Kirk and Bistner's Handbook of Veterinary Procedures and Emergency Treatment 6th edition. ************ *********

Consistency in Dog Training

Consistency is very important during dog obedience behavior training especially when correcting unwanted behaviors. Always use the same "command" for a specific task you require of your dog. Don’t confuse him by using different command for the same task.

Once you’ve establish some house rules such as - keeping the cooking area out of bound to your dog, enforce them constantly. If the dog learns that he can get away with it now and then, your previous efforts will go down the drain. Lastly, make sure everyone in the family accept and enforce your rules consistently.

Runaway Dog

If your dog runs away from you and you finally catch up to it, no matter how angry you are at the dog, do not yell or smack it or your dog will never come to you when called for fear of being punished.

Separation Anxiety

A dog demonstrates separation anxiety in many ways. While you're gone, or preparing to leave, your dog may:

• Destroy things
• Lick himself excessively
• Urinate or deficate inside the house
• Whine or bark continuously
• Hyper-salivate
• Pace obsessively
• Refuse to eat when you're not around
• Greet you excessively when you return home
• Be restless or depressed as you prepare to leave

A dog's level of anxiety can vary. But with Separation Anxiety, his behavior when you're away is consistently different from his behavior when you're around.

Keep him calm and collected. Any dog who demonstrates these symptoms should be taken to a veterinarian with a strong background in behavioral medicine. When a diagnosis of Separation Anxiety is confirmed, several treatment strategies may be put in place:

1. Control the dog's environment. A busy dog is a satisfied dog. Give him something to do-such as a fun treat that requires some time to eat-and he may not be as concerned that you're gone.
2. Shift his behavior. Don't punish him for feeling anxious, that may make things worse. Try these suggestions: Avoid playing with him prior to leaving the house. Practice graduated departures. Go through some of the steps associated with you leaving the house several times per day, but don't leave. Practice departure exercises. Go out two times per day for 10-15 minutes each time. He should be taught to sit (or lie down) while you go toward the door, step outside and remain for a short period of time. Increase your time away gradually so he gets used to you going - while feeling reassured that you will return. The goal is to teach him that he can be obedient and relaxed when you're not there. Practice independence training. During day-to-day routines, such as watching television, instruct your Dachshund to stay some distance away instead of allowing him to sit in your lap or be touching you. While you're out, provide soothing music or a television at a low volume. To an anxious dog, silence can be deafening. Make sure not to make a big deal when you leave or come home. Ignore your dog for 10-20 minutes before leaving and after arrival - as difficult as this may be, it works. Don't reward clingy behavior. Ignore your Dachshund if he follows you around or demands attention. And reward him when he lies quietly.
3. Medicate. There are prescriptions that may help ease your dogs anxiety. Consult your vet for full details and options.

When is a puppy first bath?

Puppies generally do not need to get bathed until they are five months old -- they get their vaccinations during these first five months and their bodies are more sensitive to catching a cold.

When you give your puppy his first bath, find a nice warm spot to give the bath and use the appropriate dog shampoo.

Puppies and dogs don't need to get bathed very often in order to stay clean. The most important requirement for their cleanliness is to get groomed and brushed everyday.

If the dog or puppy gets mud on his coat, you can clean it off by using a towel with soap and warm water.

Constantly bathing a puppy and dog is not recommended because shampoo and soap leaches the natural oils of the puppy's skin.

To bathe your puppy you will need to use a washtub appropriate for his size. Put a small anti slip mat underneath the puppy's feet so that he does not slip. Put some cotton balls inside his ears so that no water gets inside of them. Make sure to use good quality dog shampoo (never human shampoo or soap), and apply it rubbing opposite of the way his hair grows. Start by first washing the puppy's body and finish with his head. When rinsing the puppy, make sure you keep his head upward so soapy water does not get into his sensitive eyes.

Generally it's recommended to towel of the excess water and let the puppy dry off on his own. In the cold months, you can use a hairdryer with caution -- make sure it is on the lowest setting and that you constantly move the dryer, so as not to burn the puppy. Also pay special attention to ensure you puppy does not get overheated and never blow air into his eyes.

Bath time can become a relaxing and bonding experience for you and your pooch.

Onion Poisoning

Onions cause sickness in dogs, cats and also livestock. Onions contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate.

Pets affected by onion toxicity will develop haemolytic anaemia, where the pet’s red blood cells burst while circulating in its body.

At first, pets affected by onion poisoning show gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhoea. They will show no interest in food and will be dull and weak. The red pigment from the burst blood cells appears in an affected animal’s urine and it becomes breathless. The breathlessness occurs because the red blood cells that carry oxygen through the body are reduced in number.
The poisoning occurs a few days after the pet has eaten the onion. All forms of onion can be a problem including dehydrated onions, raw onions, cooked onions and table scraps containing cooked onions and/or garlic. Left over pizza, Chinese dishes and commercial baby food containing onion, sometimes fed as a supplement to young pets, can cause illness.

Onion poisoning can occur with a single ingestion of large quantities or with repeated meals containing small amounts of onion. A single meal of 600 to 800 grams of raw onion can be dangerous whereas a ten-kilogram dog, fed 150 grams of onion for several days, is also likely to develop anaemia. The condition improves once the dog is prevented from eating any further onion

While garlic also contains the toxic ingredient thiosulphate, it seems that garlic is less toxic and large amounts would need to be eaten to cause illness.

What to do if you've lost a pet

Walk the neighborhood, talk to everybody, and leave your phone number.

Go to each house in the area where your pet was lost and talk to the residents. Write down a description of your lost pet and your phone number and leave it with them. Leave it attached to their door if they are not home.

Talk to everybody you run across. This includes the postman, paperboy, children, parents waiting at the school bus stop, school crossing guards, neighborhood crime watch groups, garbage pick-up crews, etc. Give them a written description of your pet and your phone number as well.

Read on ...

Grapes and raisons can cause fatal kidney failure in some dogs.

Grapes and raisons can cause fatal kidney failure in some dogs. For some unknown reason, there are dogs that grapes and raisons seem to have no ill effect on while others become very ill after eating only a couple. Although the exact toxin is unknown to date, the first symptom of illness from grapes and raisons is vomiting, followed by fatal kidney failure.

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New Proof Dogs Can Imitate

Imitation may be the best form of flattery, but it's also an indication of high intelligence. A recent study determined dogs can imitate -- particularly other dogs.

Keep an eye on your dog and see what he or she imitates!

How to Stop your Dog from Pulling on the Leash

Here is the elusive answer to the ever present question of HOW DO I TEACH MY DOG NOT TO PULL?

Don't walk forward if there is tension on the leash.
When the dog is about to apply ANY tension to the leash at all .... Immediately stop. Be a tree.

When the dog turns to see what happened to you, praise for his attention .... and encourage the dog back into heel position next to you - if necessary, take a few steps backward.

As long as the dog is in the magic spot next to your leg, continue praising, give food rewards, make it the best possible place in the world to be. If he loses concentration and is about to put any tension on the leash at all, stop without warning and repeat the above sequence.

Five Dog Training Tips

1. Begin training your dog as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more ingrained your dog's bad habits become.

2. Pay attention to when your dog has to use the restroom. They usually have to go within minutes of eating, waking and playing. Take them outside at those times and reward them with treats when they use the restroom outdoors.

3. If you are crate training, do not leave your pet in a crate for more than four hours. A puppy can not hold it that long and you do not want them to get used to going in the crate.

4. Socialize your new puppy as much as possible. Introduce them to other dogs and people so that they will not become aggressive.

5. Never train your dog when you are upset. If you dog is afraid of you, they will not learn. Never use their name in anger. The last thing you want is for them to associate their name with something bad.

The Problems with Table Feeding Your Dog

Feeding your dog scraps at the table encourages his bad behavior–begging. It puts him at risk of becoming overweight, because in addition to his regular daily dog meal(s), he’ll be eating the scraps you provide him and any other tidbits he gets from others at the table.

Additionally, food scraps can be unsafe for some dogs; many experience diarrhea, vomiting or develop a serious case of gas. A dog’s digestive system is very sensitive and eating too much human food, which can be high in fat, sugar or sodium, could easily make him ill or cause instant death.

Certain ingredients or foods that are outright toxic to dogs include tomatoes, onion and garlic, grapes and raisins, chocolate, and macadamia nuts. Other foods that are unhealthy for a dog includes raw meats, raw bones, cooked bones, cookies, cakes, ice creams, fried and greasy foods.

DO's and DON'Ts When Introducing Kids and Dogs

DO:

• Ask the owner for permission to pet the dog. Even if the dog looks friendly, ask first!
• Approach the dog slowly and gently, and allow him to sniff your hand before you pet him under the chin.
• Be careful around injured dogs. Injured dogs may bite out of fear or pain. Ask an adult for help.
• Stand still and be calm if a dog approaches you.
• Stay away from stray dogs.
  

DON'T:

• Don't run towards a dog or throw your arms around it. Remember to approach slowly and always ask the owner for permission to see the dog.
• Don't tease a dog or throw things at it.
• Don't try to take food or toys away, or bother the dog when he's eating.
• Be careful when he's sleeping, too; he may be startled if he is woken up suddenly.
• Don't pet a dog by reaching through a car window, a kennel, or a fence. Likewise, don't pet dogs in the back of a truck. Many dogs are nervous or protective and may bite.
• Don't assume that every dog is friendly just because it's tail is wagging. Ask the owner if it's okay to pet the dog.

HOW TO STOP YOUR DOG FROM CHEWING THE WRONG THINGS!

Most puppies have a strong, natural desire to investigate. But this curiosity can lead to problems when your puppy digs up your roses or destroys your new shoes. Many owners rely solely on punishment to correct problem behavior, but you'll find that reinforcing good behavior works better and keeps your dog happier.

Chew Toys
Begin with a variety of toys and determine which types your pup prefers.

Rotate different toys to keep them novel and interesting. Reward your dog when it chews its toys.

Never give items to the puppy to chew that are similar to household items you don't want destroyed. (e.g., your puppy may not distinguish between old shoes and new shoes.)
Destructive behavior is often a direct response to anxiety. Lessen the problem by teaching the dog that it cannot receive attention on demand. Train it to rest in its own bed or crate, rather than constantly lying near you. Exercise your dog before you leave home, and try to sneak out when it is occupied. Practice short departures, then gradually increase the length of time your dog is alone.

The Hartz Mountain Corporation Recalls Vitamin Care for Cats

The Hartz Mountain Corporation Recalls Vitamin Care for Cats Because of Possible Health Risk.

The Hartz Mountain Corporation is voluntarily recalling one specificlot of Hartz Vitamin Care for Cats due to concerns that one or more bottles within the lot may have been potentially contaminated with Salmonella.

Hartz is fully cooperating with the US Food and Drug Administrationin this voluntary recall.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, all of whom are at particular risk from exposure and should avoid handling these products.

Salmonella symptoms may include fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea in both cats and humans. Anyone experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek immediate medical attention. Owners of cats exhibiting these symptoms should also seek veterinary assistance.

The product involved is 3600 bottles of Hartz Vitamin Care for Cats, lot code SZ-16371, UPC number 32700-97701, which was manufactured by a third party manufacturer, UFAC (USA), Inc., in Baconton, Georgia.

While normal testing conducted by Hartz and UFAC has not revealed the presence of Salmonella in any Hartz products, sampling conducted by the FDA did detect the presence of Salmonella. Hartz is aggressively investigating the source of the problem.

Although the company has not received any reports of animals or humans becoming ill as a result of coming into contact with this product, Hartz is taking immediate steps to remove the product from all retail stores and distribution centers. Cat owners should check the lot code on their bottles, and, if the code is not visible, or if the bottle has lot code SZ-16371 imprinted thereon, they should immediately discontinue use of the product and discard it in a proper manner.

Consumers can contact Hartz at 1-800-275-1414 with any questions they may have and to obtain reimbursement for purchased product.

The Danger of Macadamia Nuts for Dogs

Macadamia nuts are another concern. A paper written by Dr. Ross McKenzie, a Veterinary Pathologist with the Department of Primary Industries, points to the danger of raw and roasted macadamia nuts for pets.

The toxic compound is unknown but the affect of macadamia nuts is to cause locomotory difficulties. Dogs develop a tremor of the skeletal muscles, and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters. Affected dogs are often unable to rise and are distressed, usually panting. Some affected dogs have swollen limbs and show pain when the limbs are manipulated.

Dogs have been affected by eating as few as six macadamia kernels (nuts without the shell) while others had eaten approximately forty kernels. Some dogs had also been given macadamia butter.

Luckily, the muscle weakness, while painful, seems to be of short duration and all dogs recovered from the toxicity. All dogs were taken to their veterinary surgeon.

Pets owners should not assume that human food is always safe for pets. When it comes to chocolate, onions, garlic and macadamia nuts, such foods should be given in only small quantities, or not at all. Be sure that your pets can’t get into your stash of chocolates, that food scraps are disposed of carefully to prevent onion and garlic toxicity and that your dog is prevented from picking up macadamia nuts if you have a tree in your garden.

How to Read your Cat's Body Language

Cats communicate with us and other pets in many ways. The biggest way they communicate with other cats is through their speech. Meows mean something among other cats. But the greatest way a cat communicates to humans is through their body language. Vocalization is the main way they communicate. Their hissing, purring, meowing, and snarling is an important part of their lives and the way they interact with others. We know what each of those actions mean with our cats and establish a relationship based on their use of those vocalizations.

One of the favorite body languages an owner has for its cat is when it arches its back, seems to stretch out a bit, curls its tail upward loosely and puts its head down. This is a big sign that it wants to play and that it likes you. It may even get into this stance and move toward you, as it tries to rub up against you. A healthy, confident and alert cat walks straight with its tail extended and its eyes narrow. If your cat walks like this, it's a good sign. It likely has few worries and is quite happy with life. A cat that is on alert to be defensive and aggressive toward another cat or person either points its tail straight upward or lowers it to the ground, it perks its ears, and perhaps the hair on its back stands straight up. You may also notice that its ears point downward and point toward the back of its body, that means it's ready to fight.

It's important for cat owners to get used to how their cats interact and what different body languages mean. If your cat sits focused on you in front of you in an upright and perky position for a long period of time, perhaps it wants to be fed. Each cat will establish its own way of communicating with you. You will need to learn what different signals your cat is giving you throughout the first few months and years you have your cat. Your cat will develop its own body signals when it wants different things from you. It will adopt body signs of when it wants to be playful with you and other pets. Pet owners don't usually have much trouble figuring out what different body signs mean with their cats.

10 Dog Training Tips

1. It is easier to prevent problems than to rectify them. It is never to soon to start even from a puppy stage.

2. Set the rules and stick to them.

3. Ensure that everyone in the family uses the same commands. Sit, down off (as in off the furniture)

4. Do you really want doggy hair and pawprints on the furniture, beds, duvets, etc? No? Make a no furniture rule and stick to it.

5. Reward good behavior with lots of praise and treats, do training sessions before feeding, this is when your dog is eager to please.

6. Always use a lead, until your dog can be reliably expected to come to you, and use walks as an opportunity to practice commands.

7. Never run after your dog when its time to catch him ( he'll interpret this as a game), get him to come to you. Often it is better for you to walk in the opposite direction.

8. If you save the 'come' command for the end of the walk, your dog will associate this with the end of the fun; use it regularly, rewarding obedience with praise.

9. Never tell him off or coming to you, however long it takes.

10. Dogs do get bored. If you are out a lot during the day, he may chew and cause damage, keep him in a confined area with "occupational therapy" in the form of a special toy.